What Are People Saying?

Testimonials

FIEA Testimonials

Industry veterans, companies and former students talk about FIEA in our testimonials.

“Bringing together exceptional programming, art, design, production talent and educating them in state-of-the-art environments with our industry-wise faculty is delivering on the mission of making Orlando a digital media powerhouse”

Ben Noel, FIEA Executive Director

“UCF Downtown is both a shining example of the power of partnerships and a model for higher education across our nation”

Thad Seymour Jr., UCF Interim President

Mayor Buddy Dyer

City of OrlandoMayor
“The FIEA program has been essential in establishing Orlando as a technology and media hub”

Dennis Brannvall Alumni Class 2012

EA DiceLead Level Designer
“I think FIEA really taught me how important collaboration is. And how to compromise. At FIEA, you’re not setting anyone’s salary. You don’t have a whip. People have to feel like they’re being respected.”

Scott Knapp Alumni Class 2012

Turtle Rock StudiosSenior Lighting Artist
“I didn’t think I would ever get a Master’s degree. Our class took a tour with [former FIEA art director Brian Salisbury] and I immediately knew I wanted to go through the program.”

Matthew Laurence Alumni Class 2007

RovioCore Product Manager
“FIEA is everything to what I am now. I wouldn’t be in the industry now if it weren’t for FIEA. It’s a hard industry to break into.”

Joe Palmer Alumni Class 2009

Iron GalaxyEngineeer
“FIEA emulates the game development industry about as well as a school program could. Plus, the programming instruction is very good. If you work hard and really try to understand what’s being taught you will come out on the other end a better programmer and a lot closer to being able to contribute to a development team.”

Joey Llobet Alumni Class 2015

Electronic Arts (EA)Technical Designer
“FIEA has made me a lot more confident in my creativity and my ability to come up with good ideas.”

Matthew Owens Alumni Class 2016

Electronic Arts (EA)Game Designer
“FIEA has made me a lot more confident in my ability as a leader, which is cool to say. To be able to carry the banner for other people and not let them down is an incredibly fulfilling experience.”

Tiffany Dao Alumni Class 2012

ArtistIron Galaxy Studios
“FIEA did wonders in preparing me actually. Aside from teaching me pipeline and tools that’s common in the industry, I’d say the most important thing I learned from FIEA was how to work as a team with other people. It’s also taught me how to deal with features getting cut or revised or pushed back, with getting feedback and the important of iteration, all things that are key points in the industry.”

Steve Julson Alumni Class 2009

Electronic Arts (EA)Development Director
“I can absolutely say that my experience at FIEA has made me a well-spoken designer in a studio full of industry veterans and tough guys.”

Matt Read Alumni Class 2006

KongregateVP of Operations
“Attending FIEA was the smartest decision I ever made. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without going there.”

Brian Kortbus Alumni Class 2016

DreamWorks AnimationLayout TD
“You’ll only be here for one year at FIEA, make the most of it. You’re not going to get anything like this anywhere else.”

Carmen Askerneese Alumni Class 2016

Logan Gerrol Alumni Class 2016

Vcom3D, IncUnity Developer
“It’s provided me with a network of colleagues that are not only experienced in their specific field in the gaming industry, but also a family of friends that I’m able to hang out with.”

Ingrid Aguero Alumni Class 2008

Electronic Arts (EA)Lead Senior Environment Artist
“I knew I wanted to do 3D art, but I didn’t know I wanted to do video games yet. I saw commercial about FIEA and articles about the demand for video game developers, so I decided to apply and from there it fell into place.”